TOKYO (from The Star, 23 May, 2007) : Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi refuted claims that his announcement of a hefty pay increase for the public sector on Monday was indicative of an early general election.
The Prime Minister said it was the nature of the opposition to always look for ulterior motives whenever the government did something good for the people.
“It is as if we only work to prepare for the election. We work for the development of the country because we want to make sure that the people will always be with us and continue to support
us to achieve Vision 2020 and beyond.
“We want to do the best for the people. We are giving this to the public sector because they really deserve it, because they have been waiting a very long time for it.
“I have already explained the reasons why we did it, and now that we are financially capable of raising their salaries, why should we not do it?” he said to Malaysian journalists covering his five-day state visit to Japan yesterday.
Asked if the private sector should also consider following the government’s footsteps considering the increasing cost of living, Abdullah said that decision should be left to the respective employers.
“I don’t want to say anything, because then people will say: ‘That Pak Lah, he went and increased the public sector’s salary, now he is telling the private sector to do so as well.’
“It should be based on each company’s ability – that they should understand,” he added.
The government announced on Monday a pay increase of between 7.5% and 35% for public servants nationwide and the doubling of cost of living allowances (Cola) effective July 1.
BY SA’ODAH ELIAS
